Title

Authors

Date of this Version

1-1-1983

Abstract

EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURE General Tractors are tested at the University of Nebraska according to the Agricultural Tractor Test Code approved by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and the Society of Automotive Engineers or official Nebraska test procedure. The manufacturer selects the tractor to be tested and certifies that it is a stock model. Each tractor is equipped with the common power consuming accessories such as power steering, power lift pump, generator, etc., if available. Power consuming accessories may be disconnected only when the means for disconnecting can be reached from the operating station. An official representative of the company is present during the test to see that the tractor gives its optimum performance. Additional weight may be added to the tractor as ballast if the manufacturer recommends use of such ballast. The static tire loads and the tire inflation pressures must conform to the Tire Standards published by the ASAE and SAE. Preparation for Test The engine crankcase is drained and refilled with new oil conforming to specifications in the operator's manual. The operator's manual is also used as the guide for selecting the proper fuel and for routine lubrication and maintenance operations". The tractor is limbered up for 12 hours on the drawbar, using each gear with light to heavy loads during the limber-up period. Preliminary adjustment of the tractor is permitted at this time. Any parts added or replaced during the limber-up run, or any subsequent runs, are mentioned in the individual test reports. The tractor is equipped with approximately the amount of added ballast that is to be used during the drawbar runs. PTO Performance Power take-off performance runs are made by connecting the power take-off (or the belt pulley if no power take-off is available) to a dynamometer. During a preliminary power take-off run the manufacturer's representative may make adjustment for the fuel, ignition or injection timing and governor control settings. These settings must be maintained for the remainder of the test. The manually operated governor control mechanism is set to provide the high-idle speed specified by the manufacturer. During the power take-off runs an ambient air temperature of approximately 75 0 F. is maintained. Maximum power is obtained at the rated engine speed specified by the manufacturer with the governor control lever set for maximum power. This same setting is used for all subsequent PTO runs. Time of the run is two hours. Whenever the power take-off speed during the maximum power run differs from the speeds set forth in the ASAE and SAE standards, an additional run is made at either 540 or 1000 rpm of the power take-off shaft. Time of this run is one hour. Drawbar Performance Maximum drawbar power is shown for the normal field speed selected by the manufacturer. All engine adjustments are the same as those used in the power take-off runs. If the manufacturer specifies a different rated engine speed for drawbar operations, then the position of the manually operated governor control is changed to provide the high-idle speed specified. Maximum drawbar power is determined within the following limits: (1) slip of the drivers must not exceed 15% for pneumatic tires on the concrete test course or 7% for steel cleats on the well packed earthen test course, (2) ground speeds must not exceed 15 miles per hour, (3) safe stability limits of the tractor must not be exceeded, (4) no other operating limit of the tractor must be exceeded. Drawbar load is applied until the manufacturer's rated engine speed is obtained with maximum governor control lever setting. Travel speed, drawbar pull and other data are recorded over two 500-foot straight level areas. Fuel consumption is determined at the manufacturer's selected travel speed with the drawbar pull set: (1) as near to the pull at maximum power as possible, (2) 75% of the pull at maximum power, (3) 50% of the pull at maximum power, and (4) maintaining the same load and travel speed as in (3) by shifting to a higher gear and reducing the engine rpm. This summary shows only the drawbar horsepower, corresponding travel speed and fuel consumption at 100%, 75% or 50% loads, and 50% of pull at reduced engine speed. The maximum drawbar pull, with ballast, and the corresponding drive-wheel slippage is also shown. The maximum drawbar horsepower and the corresponding speed and drawbar pull, up to 6 gears or travel speeds, are shown in the individual test reports. Sound Measurement Sound is recorded during each of the Varying Power and Fuel Consumption runs as the tractor travels on a straight section of the test course. The dB(A) sound level is obtained with the microphone located near the right ear of the operator. Bystander sound readings are taken with the microphone placed 25 feet from the line of travel of the tractor. An increase of 10 dB(A) win approximately double the loudness to the human ear.